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Sinner Survives Heat & Cramps in Epic Australian Open Comeback

Defending champion Jannik Sinner advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open after a physically grueling match against Eliot Spizzirri. Sinner battled back from losing the first set and overcame severe cramping, with the match being suspended due to extreme heat. After a 10-minute break, he regrouped to secure a hard-fought four-set victory lasting nearly four hours. He now sets up a first-ever meeting with fellow Italian Luciano Darderi in the next round.

Key Points: Jannik Sinner Battles Heat, Cramps into Australian Open R4

  • Won from one set down
  • Overcame severe cramp pain
  • Match suspended for extreme heat
  • Sets up all-Italian clash with Darderi
2 min read

Australian Open: Sinner survives heat, cramps to make it to R4 after hard-fought win over Spizzirri

Defending champion Jannik Sinner overcomes heat, cramps, and a set down to beat Eliot Spizzirri in a grueling 3-hour 45-minute match at the Australian Open.

Australian Open: Sinner survives heat, cramps to make it to R4 after hard-fought win over Spizzirri
"Sinner regrouped and made a phenomenal comeback to make it to round four - ATP Report"

Melbourne, January 24

Defending two-time champion Jannik Sinner continued his fine run at the ongoing Australian Open, surviving sweltering Aussie heat and cramps to make it to the fourth round with a win over Eliot Spizzirri on Saturday.

As per ATP's official website, Sinner beat Eliot in a fine comeback win from being one set down, by 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena in a battle that lasted for three hours and 45 minutes.

With the match level at one set each, Eliot broke for a 3-1 lead in the third set as Sinner struggled with cramp pain, which hampered his ability to move and make serves. The play was suspended due to heat, and after a 10-minute break, Sinner regrouped and made a phenomenal comeback to make it to round four, taking another step in ensuring a hat-trick of title wins in Australia.

Sinner's next challenge will be compatriot Luciano Darderi in their first-ever clash, who outclassed

But Sinner showed his class and composure to set a fourth-round encounter against fellow Italian Luciano Darderi. Their clash will be the first in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, after Darderi outclassed 2023 Australian Open semi-finalist Karen Khachanov 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. He has experienced improvement in his fortunes at the Grand Slam. At one point, after failing to make it past round two, he made it to the third round of the US Open last year and the fourth round right here in Australia.

Earlier, Lorenzo Musetti, the current world number five, advanced to round four, beating Tomas Machac of Czech by 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a five-set battle. The two-time ATP Tour-level titlist made it to the fourth round at the Australian Open for the first time, with semifinal finishes in the French Open (2025) and Wimbledon (2024) as his career-best Grand Slam performances.

Also, the world number seven, Ben Shelton, also made it to the fourth round, outclassing Australia's Dane Sweeney, and will be aiming to do better than his 2025 semifinal finish here at Melbourne.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great match, but the scheduling in that heat is a serious concern. Player safety should come first. They need to consider a roof or better scheduling like we sometimes see with late evening matches in Chennai.
A
Arjun K
Sinner's composure under pressure is world-class. The 10-minute break was the game-changer. It's all about managing those small moments. Excited for the all-Italian clash next!
S
Sarah B
Watching from Sydney! The Aussie summer is brutal. Hats off to all the players out there. Sinner is a machine. Also, great to see Musetti and Shelton doing well - makes for an exciting second week.
V
Vikram M
Respect to Spizzirri for pushing the champion so hard. But Sinner's experience in big moments shone through. The depth in men's tennis is amazing right now. Hope we get a Sinner vs Alcaraz final!
K
Kavya N
While the comeback was epic, I do feel the article focuses too much on Sinner. Darderi beating Khachanov is also a huge upset! Would have liked more on that match. Still, fantastic tournament so far.

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